Hubbard death case adjourned

A case against a man charged with causing the death of Timaru financier Allan Hubbard has been delayed after police requested an adjournment.

Andrew John Earl, 40, of Milton, pleaded not guilty to charges of careless driving causing the death of Mr Hubbard, 83 and careless driving causing the injury to Mr Hubbard's wife, Jean, 82, on State Highway 1, at Hilderthorpe, near Oamaru, on September 2 last year.

Earl confirmed his not guilty plea in Dunedin District Court in May, and a defended hearing, which was expected to last at least three days, was scheduled to start in the Timaru District Court on December 3.

The crash was investigated by police in Waitaki, and although no one was available for comment yesterday, the adjournment was agreed to by the defence counsel.

The reasons given to Judge David Saunders for the adjournment were the unavailability of one witness and the need for further investigation into the crash.

A nominal date of February 13 has been set, but no fixture date has been confirmed.